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Right-Wing Fashion Police Attack Michelle Obama's State Dinner Dress Choice

January 20, 2011 11:06 am ET — 61 Comments

The right-wing media attacked First Lady Michelle Obama for wearing a red dress to the White House State Dinner, suggesting she did so to honor "Commie Red China." The right has a history of seeing political messages in Michelle Obama and other administration figures' attire.

Right Attacks First Lady's "China Red" Dress

Drudge Photo Caption: "China Red." Drudge linked to a file photo of the dress, declaring its color to be "China Red." From the Drudge Report [The Drudge Report, 1/20/11]:

Michelle Obama red dress

Doug Powers: "Michelle Obama Appropriately Enough Wore A Red Dress" While "Musical Rendition Of 'If My Friends Could See Me Mao'" Played. In a guest post written on Michelle Malkin's website late Wednesday night, conservative blogger Doug Powers said: "As for the state dinner for the Chinese president, Michelle Obama appropriately enough wore a red dress, and an all-star cast of Broadway stars performed a rousing musical rendition of 'If my friends could see me Mao' to close out the evening." [MichelleMalkin.com, 1/19/11]

Hoft: "Michelle Obama's Dress Slips Off At Commie Red China Obama State Dinner." Gateway Pundit blogger Jim Hoft critized not only at the color the First Lady chose to wear -- calling the event the "Commie Red China Obama State Dinner" -- but also the fit of the gown. Showing photos of the dress from all angles, Hoft declared, "It was just another one of her bizarre dress selections." [Gateway Pundit, 1/19/11]

Right Has A History Of Reading Political Messages In First Lady's, Obama Officials' Attire

Beck Calls Michelle Obama "Marie Antoinette," Claims Her Dress Shows She's "Out Of Touch." On the July 14, 2010 broadcast of Fox News' Glenn Beck Program, the host criticized the First Lady for wearing a white dress with "black splotches" on the beach, stating that she looked "like Marie Antoinette." Beck suggested that she wore the dress intentionally to reference the recent Gulf oil spill, saying, "There's no way that dress wasn't selected personally for this occasion." Beck declared Michelle Obama to be "out of touch." [Fox News, Glenn Beck Program, 7/14/10]

Fox Nation: "Did First Lady's Dress Send A Political Message?" In the days following the 2010 State of the Union Address, Fox Nation posed this question of the First Lady's purple dress: "Did First Lady's Dress Send a Political Message?" [Fox Nation, 1/29/10]

Big Government Wonders if Gibbs' And Stern's "Purple Bracelets [Are] A Mark Of Clintonesque Solidarity?" On March 15, 2010, Big Government contributor Kyle Olson wondered of Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' tie and bracelet were "a mark of Clintonesque solidarity." Gibbs later stated via Twitter that the purple was worn in support of a 9-year-old battling cancer. [Big Government, 3/15/10]

Pam Geller Accuses Obama Of "Flying The Gangsta Colors At The White House" For Supposedly Wearing A Purple Tie. On March 26, 2010, conservative blogger Pam Geller accused Obama of "Flying The Gangsta Colors At The White House," stating that the President wore purple because [h]istorically, the color purple has signified royalty which, ironically, is exactly how the power mad pres thinks of himself." In fact, various photos of the event show that Obama's tie appeared to be blue. [Atlas Shrugs, 3/26/10]

— M.L.J.
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    • Author by soze169880 (January 20, 2011 11:14 am ET)
      15 1
      Are there any non-gay Republicans?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by progressivevoicedaily (January 20, 2011 11:34 am ET)
        14 1
        I think she looks stunning. It's good to see America and the First Lady as fashionable. I'm tired of seeing old bags wearing some ugly blue outfit.(picture Laura Bush on any given day)
        Report Abuse
        • Author by HughG (January 20, 2011 3:54 pm ET)
          10  
          I don't think it's fair to criticize Laura Bush for what she wore as First Lady, but I completely agree that Michelle Obama is beautiful.
          Not only is she beautiful; she's also smart, classy...an excellent partner for her smart and classy husband.
          We're lucky to have Barack Obama, and he's lucky to have Michelle.
          </gush>
          Report Abuse
          • Author by m.welker (January 20, 2011 4:22 pm ET)
            10  
            How dare the first lady wear a dress!! She should be wearing some sort of conservative clothing, one that hides as much of her figure as possible... seriously, ridiculous. Would these rancid racists prefer her in a burkha? Well, obviously they would so they could continue their attacks on Muslim Obama. Good god, find something newsworthy. Like a dog that can count by barking.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by progressivevoicedaily (January 20, 2011 4:25 pm ET)
              3  
              I appreciate both perspectives!
              Report Abuse
            • Author by foghornleghorn (January 20, 2011 6:14 pm ET)
              4 2
              She should be wearing some sort of conservative clothing, one that hides as much of her blackness as possible

              Fixed.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by Bids (January 20, 2011 8:00 pm ET)
              3  
              Well she could have worn pants, but we know how much the right likes PANTS. Think Hillary.
              Report Abuse
        • Author by Blue n a red (January 21, 2011 7:40 am ET)
          4  
          Yes, I agree the first lady looks stunning. She is so with it stylish and up to date. She also looks good in any color. Let the conservative old bags wear the outdated old and boring clothes. It sounds so much like high school kids judging all on looks instead of substance.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Tbone Slickens (January 21, 2011 12:45 pm ET)
            5
          old bags wearing some ugly blue outfit.(picture Laura Bush on any given day)


          Since mmfA is censoring pics now...

          I'll have to just link you an old bag wearing pant suits!

          Laura outfits may not be everyone's taste but she was at least classy. Can't say the same for our brute at State.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by jhamilto@comcast.net (January 20, 2011 12:54 pm ET)
        2 3
        This is your best insult of a Republican--"gay"? Seriously, do you think calling them gay is a put down? What's offensive about being gay? Open your mind and expand your vocabulary, please.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by bobklahn (January 21, 2011 8:53 am ET)
          3  
          True. That is poor quality insulting. They really need to do better. Demand high quality insults, the right deserves nothing less.

          And your point about thinking it's offensive is valid.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by Chilidog (January 21, 2011 1:47 pm ET)
           
        What did Clinton and Stacey say about her dress?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by raddave43 (January 20, 2011 11:19 am ET)
      8  
      I don't even know if one could classify that color as red. Even if it is, it certainly isn't "Communist" red.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by NoTrueScotsman (January 20, 2011 11:32 am ET)
        9  
        <sarc>
        It's Communist red with stripes of Black Liberation Theology.
        </sarc>

        In other news, Holder is giving a press conference right now on a massive organized crime bust. Taking bets on this will be spun to somehow be an evil, progressive move (even though parts of the indictment specifically cite their control of certain unions).
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rtwmd1230 (January 20, 2011 1:36 pm ET)
          5  
          Actually, it's Nancy "Mommy" Reagan red.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by bobklahn (January 21, 2011 8:54 am ET)
            1  
            AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

            Nancy Reagan is a commie!!!!!!!!

            Save us!

            Thanks for revealing the hidden truth. I will pass this on to any right wingers who need to be informed.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by mk3872 (January 20, 2011 11:23 am ET)
      11 1
      These are just weird, weird people in the conservamedia world.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by bintx (January 20, 2011 11:29 am ET)
      13 1
      She looked beautiful. These people are just sick.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by southerngal (January 20, 2011 11:36 am ET)
        11 2
        Sick is a kind word. Just when you think these people can't get anymore ridiculous, they do. One wonders if giving them any mention at all, here or anywhere, is even worth the bother. They are like gnats at a baseball game.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by thaneb (January 20, 2011 11:30 am ET)
      5  
      A file photo? She re-wore a dress? What disrespect to the Chinese! And that photo-- she's wearing a kafiya! D@mn;-)
      Report Abuse
    • Author by MickD (January 20, 2011 11:32 am ET)
      7  
      I thought China provided cheap labor so conservative American businessmen could use excess profits off that labor to pay sell-out twerps to spew their propaganda. They should be hailing China!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by JourneyHome (January 20, 2011 11:37 am ET)
      5  
      She looks elegant. And quite frankly is a helluva a lot more dynamic than the old dowdy school marms the bush's keep marrying (then cheating on)and push on us.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Tbone Slickens (January 21, 2011 12:38 pm ET)
          4
        he bush's keep marrying (then cheating on)and push on us.


        Can you show us links to that smear? This is a new one (and low) from the lying left.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by newzhound (January 20, 2011 11:48 am ET)
      11  
      These right wing nutz just can't tolerate a beautiful, intelligent, strong woman.

      PS: That color is called "orange."
      Report Abuse
      • Author by MiniTru (January 20, 2011 12:07 pm ET)
        7  
        Yes. Communist Chinese Orange!!!!!one!!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by DNA (January 21, 2011 11:48 am ET)
        2  
        I agree. The color isn't red. And, so what id it is. Can't these people find anything better to do than make stupid analogies like that!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by DDB9000 (January 22, 2011 4:24 am ET)
        3  
        @newzhound

        PS: That color is called "orange."

        Shhh! Now the Cons can claim it's MANDARIN orange!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Jen7 (January 20, 2011 12:03 pm ET)
      7  
      I thought she looked gorgeous. Stunning dress, IMO. These guys are idiots.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Sigrid Wyly (January 20, 2011 4:52 pm ET)
        3  
        The pettiness of the right wing continues to astound me --although you'd think I'd be used to it by now. There is absolutely NOTHING that any of the Obama's can do that doesn't invite some kind of stupefying, mean-spirited criticism. I’ve been observing politics for a long, long time and I can’t recall anything to equal the sniping, fatuous carping of the far right. It’s frankly embarrassing to see Americans behaving so badly and showing such childish disrespect. I don’t think the First Lady could have worn ANY color dress that wouldn’t have been associated with some sinister hidden meaning. These people must stay up nights creating controversy out of absolutely nothing. It’s becoming tiresome and almost funny. Almost. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that there are thousands of middle-of-the-road Republicans agree with me. Not every Republican is a lunatic. And, for the record, she looked absolutely spectacular. I'd say drop-dead gorgeous, but...
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Blue n a red (January 21, 2011 7:48 am ET)
          2  
          Sounds like a lot of minds are full of poisen. It also seems like such mean spirited words against our President and first lady. These are the bullies of the world teaching our children to be bullies. What ever happened to non violence and world peace? May we have kernels of illumination to deepen our understanding. We are all interconnected.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by Mr. Katanga (January 20, 2011 12:06 pm ET)
      6  
      These idiots are laughable
      Report Abuse
    • Author by EdEKit (January 20, 2011 12:11 pm ET)
      3  
      In American Culture Red Signifies rage and intimidation. If you have to put a meaning on the color of the dress, why not that one?

      I noticed in one of the Official White House Photos Michelle Obama was winking...Does that mean her new catch phrase is "You Betcha'?"

      She is wearing shoes, does that symbolize some kind of progress?

      I see a wedding ring, is she trying to tell the world she is Married?

      The strap on her left shoulder kept slipping is she sending mixed messages?

      She smiled a lot, does that mean she is happy about the unemployment rate?

      She exhibits wonderful posture, does that mean she's elitist?

      She touched Hu Jintau, does that mean he is as good as the Queen of England?

      And when is the right wing going to notice that Fox News Reports that Jennifer Aniston hated the "Rachael" hairdo and has trouble keeping her tush properly cutified?

      Report Abuse
    • Author by pete592 (January 20, 2011 12:20 pm ET)
      8  
      She could wear a red, white and blue dress with pictures of elephants all over it and the right-wing professional liars would still find a way to condemn her.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by EdEKit (January 21, 2011 12:44 pm ET)
        1  
        Right on Pete. The rumbling right does the same to Hillary Clinton on a regular basis...unless of course she is dressed like Sarah Palin.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Chameo (January 20, 2011 12:22 pm ET)
      8  
      Fashion criticism from people who think Sarah Palin dresses well? Yeah, I'll get right on that.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Grimdogg (January 20, 2011 12:53 pm ET)
      4  
      Red is considered a color of power in attire. That's why I always where something with red in it whenever giving presentations, for business meetings, or for interviews because people usually show a little more respect for subconcious reasons. Doesn't Faux know this?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by marionetta (January 20, 2011 1:04 pm ET)
        7  
        Nancy Reagan wore red as a 'signature' color.
        Palin wears red.

        Is GOP red different than red?

        These folks are just petty.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by epkklk851 (January 20, 2011 1:17 pm ET)
          8  
          I think it was Helen Thomas who started wearing red to Reagan's news conferences because he would call on her quickly. It got to be quite the thing among the press corps. Does this mean that Ronald Reagan was a Commie?
          Report Abuse
      • Author by southerngal (January 20, 2011 1:04 pm ET)
        8  
        But Pete is right above. It isn't about some red dress or anything else. It's because she's an Obama. That is all it takes.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Chameo (January 20, 2011 5:04 pm ET)
        2  
        It's also a color symbolizing joy, good fortune, celebration and luck for the Chinese, another subtle contextual message. You don't really expect Fox to understand subtlety, do you?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by epkklk851 (January 20, 2011 1:12 pm ET)
      6  
      To be frank, I'm not always a fan of the way the First Lady dresses. She chooses colors and styles that I could never wear. However, even if I don't like something, I can't say that she looks bad. She has her own sense of style and she knows what works for her. I was shocked by the sleeveless deep purple dress that she wore to the President's first Congressional address, I hadn't seen a public figure go sleeveless at a big, formal event like this. But you know what, I liked that dress, and I loved the color. I liked her red dress, it was flattering to her complexion. Remember when Beckie and Pattie screamed about her blue column dress? They were shocked, shocked to find out that she had boobies! I thought she looked good.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Kester (January 20, 2011 1:43 pm ET)
      3  
      She has brown skin so red suits her, where's the mysterious political message? She's beautiful too.

      I'm from the UK, so it's hard for me to understand why it would be such a terrible thing even if she actually had acknowledged some sympathies with Marxism or Liberation Theology. Usually most educated people over here tend to say about Marxism 'well he had some very good points, but I don't agree with all of it'. Liberation Theology is perfectly respectable.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by calijohn (January 20, 2011 2:08 pm ET)
      5  
      republicans are incredibly stupid.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by HughG (January 20, 2011 3:57 pm ET)
        6  
        Stupid, yes. But this wasn't so much stupid as it was desperate.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by highlyunlikely (January 20, 2011 4:35 pm ET)
          5  
          Stupid is right. Apparently her critics have never heard the expression "choose your battles wisely."
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Old_Benjamin (January 20, 2011 4:46 pm ET)
            4  
            Apparently her critics have never heard the expression "choose your battles wisely."


            Clearly they learned their tactics from watching great apes at the zoo. You know, flinging poo all over?
            Report Abuse
    • Author by emask2 (January 20, 2011 2:28 pm ET)
        10
      Seriuosly, her clothing is autrocious and very pricey for those of us who are working/paying taxes to support her clothing allowance particularly under owe-be-one's economic disaster. YES IT IS A DISASTER and while I know this is a shock to some, it is on HIS watch!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by blurider (January 21, 2011 1:01 am ET)
        5  
        Are you friggin' nuts, retarded or just willfully misinformed?

        Have you the faintest notion of the relative prices of the clothes Michelle wears compared to the high pricey, haute couture that has come to be the 'norm' for our ruling class?

        Respectfully, you need to get a damn clue or learn to zip it - to avoid letting your stupidity show!

        I'll give you a break and not even mention your lame, personal, sense of style or the lack of authority in your foolish critique!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by slowtyper (January 21, 2011 1:53 am ET)
        3  
        hahaha..another becktard/ditto-head joins the fray..

        tired of hearing those crazy voices in your head..drop fox..
        Report Abuse
    • Author by syrabell (January 20, 2011 3:47 pm ET)
      4  
      So the Republicans are commies??? Isn't there color red and Dems color blue. Just like the Crips and the Bloods. Coincidence?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Maimon (January 20, 2011 6:55 pm ET)
        2  
        LMAO.... that was funny. I can hear them talking slang to each other now...LMAO

        Palin" Yo, S.H. we gonna get our gats out and busta bill!!!"

        Sighh..LMAO...

        Report Abuse
    • Author by Daniel Koeker (January 20, 2011 9:22 pm ET)
      1  
      The moment I saw that dress I knew that someone would be complaining about it. (Then again, if someone really wants to complain, they can just make up a reason.) This criticism is really just preaching to the choir. It will rile up all the people who believe that the Obamas are America-hating individuals, and the rest of us will shake our heads. It's doing exactly what it's intended.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by blurider (January 21, 2011 12:48 am ET)
      3  
      She's black, beautiful, intelligent, independent, original, classy as hell without half trying and certainly doesn't give a damn what these style retarded and otherwise brain dead twerps think!

      What could possibly be more offensive to the Neanderthals who'd presume to proscribe who and how she SHOULD be?

      Makes me proud to be an American!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Retired Catholic (January 21, 2011 1:12 am ET)
      3  
      Red has celebratory meanings in traditional Chinese culture as well as connotations of good luck. Red and gold are Ubiquitous at Chinese New Year.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by ibolyap (January 21, 2011 7:07 am ET)
      3  
      Petty nonsense. She looks beautiful!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by beDecent (January 21, 2011 2:53 pm ET)
      3  
      I must be a communist because I have red hair.

      I was born like that, it isn't my fault.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by DDB9000 (January 22, 2011 5:11 am ET)
        3  
        Probably the fault of your parents from those damned SocialistoCommie families like the O'Stalins or the McLenins.

        Arrrgghhh!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by kmariag (January 21, 2011 4:52 pm ET)
        1
      Soooo where do I send my donation for drug abuse, because these people are smoking a serious and I do mean SERIOUS grade of crack AND meth cocaine!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Tracey5557 (January 21, 2011 4:59 pm ET)
        2
      I'm sorry but I just don't get this look. I found the red to be insulting and the dress itself has too much going on. The shawl/drape didn't match and who the heck has been dressing her. Yes I understand she is more down to earth than other first ladies, but I miss the style of Jackie O and even Hillary did a better job dressing for these major events. She has great shoulders but needs a real stylist.
      Report Abuse
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